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Photos: Anarchy in Hong Kong parliament as politicians scuffle over extradition row

Two sides of the row were arguing over who was leading a meeting to discuss the proposed extradition policy.

Hong Kong Extradition law Pro-democracy lawmaker Wu Chi-wai tangles with security guards Vincent Yu / PA Images Vincent Yu / PA Images / PA Images

ANGER OVER HONG Kong’s controversial plans to allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland boiled over in the city’s legislature today as rival lawmakers scuffled with each other in chaotic scenes.

The tension between the two sides – one led by pro-democracy lawmaker James To and the other by pro-Beijing member Abraham Shek – reached a crescendo over who controlled a meeting to discuss the government’s controversial proposals. 

Hong Kong Extradition Law Kin Cheung / PA Images Kin Cheung / PA Images / PA Images

Rancour between the two political camps then exploded with rival lawmakers shouting and tussling amidst a dense pack of reporters.

Pro-democracy lawmaker Gary Fan collapsed and was carried out from the chamber on a stretcher, while others from the pro-Beijing camp claimed they were wounded.

Hong Kong Extradition law Pro-democracy lawmaker Chan Chi-chuen, center behind, scuffles with pro-Beijing lawmaker Cheng Wing-shun, center front Vincent Yu / PA Images Vincent Yu / PA Images / PA Images

“We couldn’t possibly agree to the suggestion that our meeting chaired by James To should be suspended in any way, because it is completely constitutional and legal,” pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo said after the meeting. 

Pro-Beijing lawmaker Shek insisted it is “legal” for him to host the meeting.

Hong Kong Extradition Law Kin Cheung / PA Images Kin Cheung / PA Images / PA Images

Extradition fears

Hong Kong’s government is pushing a bill through the city’s legislature which would allow case-by-case extraditions to any jurisdictions it doesn’t have an already agreed treaty with, including mainland China, Macau and Taiwan.

The plan has sparked huge protests and mounting alarm within the city’s business and legal communities – as well as foreign governments – who fear it will hammer the city’s international appeal and tangle people up in China’s court system.

Hong Kong Extradition Law Pro-democracy lawmaker Gary Fan Kwok-wai lies on the floor after the clash Kin Cheung / PA Images Kin Cheung / PA Images / PA Images

Historically Hong Kong has baulked at mainland extraditions because of the opacity of China’s criminal justice system and its liberal use of the death penalty.

Tens of thousands of people hit the streets last month to protest against the bill.

With reporting from Seán Murray

© AFP 2019 

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    Mute samstheman
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    May 20th 2019, 8:08 AM

    Absolutely no place for this at any sports ground. They’re a disgrace to their county & should be barred from venues for life

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    Mute páraicS
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    May 20th 2019, 8:41 AM

    @samstheman: They were kids, give them a break.

    54
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    Mute reg gordon
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    May 20th 2019, 8:49 AM

    @páraicS: To be fair in any other sport they would see some sort of ban. By not doing so the gaa are in some way allowing this behavior to spread.
    I’m a similar note I saw an underage hurling game on my local park whilst walking my dog where there was a proper fight on the pitch between 2 players where they had to be separated. Neither was sanctioned( or even told to shake hands afterwards) that’s really poor behavior from the coaches

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    Mute Anthony
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    May 20th 2019, 8:49 AM

    @páraicS: they weren’t ‘kids’ . Look at the footage. They were youths. And they were a disgrace. Pure thugs

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    Mute samstheman
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    May 20th 2019, 9:03 AM

    @páraicS: big enough for kids. I stand by my comment. Then they got off with a caution. Joke, interestingly if they were Dubs what would you have to say?

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    Mute thephantomshit
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    May 20th 2019, 9:15 AM

    @Anthony: what’s a youth? If I host an under 15s soccer match is it a game between a gang of youths?

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    Mute Paul Holland
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    May 20th 2019, 9:35 AM

    @páraicS: I would say the people harassed or intimidated because of their carry on also deserve a break

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    Mute Eamonn Ó Maoldomhnaigh
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    May 20th 2019, 10:12 AM

    @páraicS: Kids ? They were given Adult cautions, Kids my ass!
    Imagine the damage there could have been done by their behaviour and come back and tell us to give them a break.

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    Mute Anthony
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    May 20th 2019, 10:30 AM

    @thephantomshit: they were older than 15. Look at the footage.

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    Mute Ronan Sexton
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    May 20th 2019, 10:39 AM

    @páraicS: Nope.

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    Mute Tim Oleary
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    May 20th 2019, 11:01 AM

    @páraicS: noisy disruptive teenagers can be a nuisance at games to spectators near them needing the Guards to be called. Responsibility called for.

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    Mute John Kelly
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    May 20th 2019, 12:19 PM

    @páraicS: cops should have given both of them a good clipping. Teach them some manners.

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    Mute Richard James
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    May 20th 2019, 12:22 PM

    @páraicS: They got their break by not being charged, but why should paying spectators have to endure gobshyte behaviour from people at a match, regardless of age?

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    Mute Danny McCarthy
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    May 20th 2019, 4:12 PM

    @John Kelly: bring back nidge, they need to be clipped.
    Everyone is responsible for their own actions, I’d say their families are proud of them today. If u keep messing with fire u get burnt & these guys have a long way to go if they keep lighting fires.

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    Mute Don Dealgan
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    May 20th 2019, 8:46 PM

    @reg gordon: gaa use kid gloves wth onfield violence likewise wth thuggery on terraces

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    Mute samstheman
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    May 20th 2019, 11:17 PM

    @Don Dealgan: the GAA didn’t let them go with an “adult caution” the Gardai did

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    Mute Tim Oleary
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    May 21st 2019, 10:55 AM

    @samstheman: talk a bit of sense. Don’t be trying to excuse this rowdyism. People like you add to the problem.

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    Mute John Smith
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    May 20th 2019, 8:31 AM

    Too much Clonmel apple juice….

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    Mute Ronan Sexton
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    May 20th 2019, 10:42 AM

    There seems to be a developing culture of phuckwits in the last year at hurling matches. I was at the Limerick match yesterday and there was a gang of aroud 40 neanderthals roaring out soccer chants for the whole match. These vermin have no place at hurling games and this must be nipped in the bud now.

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    Mute Seán Ó Murchú
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    May 20th 2019, 10:56 AM

    @Ronan Sexton: People were singing songs at a match and you got upset? Think you need a new hobby.

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    Mute Ronan Sexton
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    May 20th 2019, 4:46 PM

    @Seán Ó Murchú: No Sean, are yout comprehension skills that bad? There are night classes for that.

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    Mute Adolf Galland
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    May 20th 2019, 8:29 AM

    Why were Tipp fans beating up Tipp fans????

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    Mute shellakybooky
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    May 20th 2019, 9:54 AM

    @Adolf Galland: drink

    61
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    Mute Ed
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    May 20th 2019, 10:33 AM

    This isn’t the first time Tipperary supporters have been fighting each other at matches. There should be a ban on intoxicated people going into matches.

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    Mute Seanie Bourke
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    May 20th 2019, 2:09 PM

    @Ed: when was d other time

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    Mute Colm O'Sullivan
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    May 20th 2019, 10:34 AM

    Unbelievable they were let go.

    Their actions both warranted being charged with public order offences, the little thug on the left in the video being the chief culprit, its an assault in broad daylight with hundreds of witnesses for christ’s sake.

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    Mute tubbsyf
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    May 20th 2019, 1:57 PM

    points deduction for Tipp

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    Mute Tom49
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    May 20th 2019, 9:55 PM

    @tubbsyf: you can have 17 points of you’re from Waterford

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    Mute Liam Mc Meel
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    May 20th 2019, 10:30 AM

    Ah sure it only a bit of banter

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    Mute Ollie Watson
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    May 20th 2019, 8:11 AM

    Yup 50 year old Saracens fans Nayo

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    Mute matthew o reilly
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    May 20th 2019, 11:09 PM

    If that was the Dubs.liveline would get 2 weeks out of it

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    Mute Michael O'Driscoll
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    May 20th 2019, 6:51 PM

    Wildlings.

    2
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